Women's Bowling | 1/27/2024 11:37:00 PM
ARLINGTON, Texas – The fifth-ranked North Carolina A&T bowling team used eight different bowlers on Saturday during the second day of the Prairie View A&M Invitational at the International Training and Research Center to put together an impressive showing.
The Aggies went 4-1 on Saturday during traditional play, knocking down 4,965 pins for an average of 198.6. The Aggies have a total pinfall of 9,852 and will enter best-of-seven bracket play on Sunday as the No. 7 seed. The No. 1 team in the National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) poll still leads the tournament with a two-day record of 10-0. The Gamecocks have knocked down 10,498 for an average of 210.0. Third-ranked Youngstown State's 10,355 total pinfall rounded out the top 3.
Individually, junior Chloe Newberry led the way for the Aggies, finishing in 10th with a total pinfall of 1,061. Newberry averaged 212.20 over five games. Maya Avilez had the second-highest pinfall for A&T, knocking down 1,017 pins for a five-game average of 203.40. Reigning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Lauren Tomaszewski finished 21st with a 1,010 total pinfall and an average of 202.0.
A&T opened Saturday with a win over the second-ranked team in the nation, the Vanderbilt Commodores. A&T defeated the perennial NCAA power, 1,015-987, with Newberry leading the way with 255. Newberry bowled a 258 in November at the UMES Hawks Classic when the Aggies beat the Commodores, who were the No. 1 team in the nation. Tomaszewski contributed with a 203 in the win.
Ninth-ranked Stephen F. Austin faced the Aggies next, with the Aggies defeating the Ladyjacks 980-910. Avilez led the Aggies by bowling a 212. Tomaszewski came through again with a 211, and Newberry stepped in with a 194. Graduate Robbie Kate closed out the Ladyjacks with a 193. The Aggies won another close one in their third matchup, defeating No. 11 Sam Houston State 994-968. Newberry's 229 and Avilez's 224 led the way for A&T, helping the Aggies withstand Denise Blankenzee's 245.
The Aggies improved to 4-0 on the day with a blowout win over Southern, 1,035-839. Avilez bowled a 233, followed by Tomaszewski's 226. Robb also exceeded 200 pins with a 213. A&T finished the day with a loss to third-ranked Youngstown State, 1,045-941. In her only game of the day, freshman Savannah Burgin stepped in and bowled 211. Newberry added a 194. The Penguins had four bowlers go over 200 in the game, led by Kristen Moore's 237.
The Aggies went 4-1 on the day and are 52-18 on the season.
